In this Feb. 1, 2018 photo Republican Rep. Travis Grantham speaks on the floor of the Arizona House in Phoenix, Ariz. Grantham is sponsoring legislation requiring state universities and community colleges to allow students and staff to carry non-lethal weapons such as pepper spray and stun guns that passed the House on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018. (AP photo/Bob Christie)

Arizona bill OKs stun guns, pepper spray at universities

Arizona bill OKs stun guns, pepper spray at universities

Arizona bill OKs stun guns, pepper spray at universities

By BOB CHRISTIE

Feb. 16, 2018

https://www.apnews.com/a4b71ac7ce9348d4b68df8fc0229857f

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PHOENIX (AP) — State university and community college students would be allowed to carry pepper spray, stun guns and other "non-lethal" weapons under a bill approved by the Arizona House late Thursday.

Republican Rep. Travis Grantham of Gilbert, the bill's sponsor, said he was prompted by policies at some universities that he believes ban the active ingredient in the most effective chemical sprays.

The Arizona Board of Regents, which oversees the state's three public universities, last week revised policies to clarify that students could carry all common chemical sprays and alarms. But the policy still bans stun guns, Tasers and most other non-lethal weapons. The Board of Regents and several community colleges oppose the legislation.

Grantham contends people should be able to choose any non-lethal device they want for self-defense.

"Maybe somebody's allergic to pepper spray and doesn't want to carry it," he said in an interview earlier this week, suggesting pepper spray could sicken some people if it is accidentally goes off.

"There's new stuff coming on the market all the time," he said. "Why restrict it to just pepper spray, or just a stun gun?"

Regents President Eileen Klein on Friday slammed the proposal, saying its chief proponent is stun gun manufacturer Taser International and the company's aim is to sell more weapons, not keep students safe. Taser's lobbyist testified for the bill in committee.

"Let's face it — this bill would allow students to arm themselves with just about anything but a big gun," Klein said. "And the risk to students, faculty and other campus visitors outweighs any other benefits that this bill could bring."

Democratic Rep. Ken Clark of Phoenix said Thursday that "the very smart people on our campuses have figured out what's good and bad."

He argued Grantham's legislation is so loose it would allow stun grenades or 40-mm projectiles normally used for crowd control. "When the definition is poorly written, it includes things that could hurt people," Clark said.

Klein said campus police work with local law enforcement to ensure campus safety and develop policies.

"We should trust them and not the weapons manufacturers to determine our campus safety practices," she said.

The Republican-controlled Arizona Legislature has tried but failed in recent years to allow firearms on campuses, but Grantham said he's not going that far. His proposal, passed on a 35-22 party-line vote, now moves to the Senate for consideration.